About this book

Introduction

Allergy is a unique area of medicine that is not taught as a single subject in medical or allied health schools. Therefore learning the fundamentals of this distinctive area of medicine requires gathering information from various disciplines. This is because the allergic diseases affect various organ systems and the practice of a wide range of physicians such as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists, among others; all encounter patients with such problems. As knowledge in this area of medicine grows, clinicians and trainees need a resource to learn the basics as well as intermediate and advanced concepts and strategies. This title is intended to serve as a single comprehensive reference covering all needed knowledge of allergic diseases.

The authors of this work will be comprised of some of the foremost experts in the field, coming primarily from the United States. They will cover their topics using a structured, consistent format from chapter to chapter to provide continuity and uniformity to the work. This reference will not only provide basic knowledge on diagnosing and treating allergies, but will go beyond the basics and also emphasize using a systematic approach to working up and treating a patient. Ample numbers of tables and illustrations for better visualization of the complicated areas will be provided in each chapter. Discussion about trends, current research, and future research directions for each disorder will be incorporated as warranted. Summary sections will be used. Following initial publication, new information to the existing chapters, or entirely new chapters, will be added as necessary via continuous updating.

The audience for this reference work includes physicians and residents in allergy and immunology, pulmonology, ENT, gastroenterology, dermatology, ophthalmology and other specialties; physician assistants, nursing professionals, allergy fellows (in-training), primary care providers, and allied health personnel are also part of the audience. Medical students will also find the work of value, as will researchers in a range of areas especially immunology and food science.